THE COURIER: City pensioner creates unique gift for royal visit (07/06/2016)

William Beckers, 70, was asked to create a wooden quaich for the special occasion after impressing the city chief with his woodturning skills at an event earlier this year.

The retired engineer first started doing woodwork seven years ago, and now shows other pensioners at the Carse of Gowrie and district men’s shed how to carve sculptures and other items.

Dundee lord provost Bob Duncan asked him and some of his fellow wood turners to create a selection of original gifts for the royal visit.

William explained: “The lord provost had been particularly impressed by the wood turning when he and the lord provost of Perth came to an open day at the shed. He tried a bit himself, but he was too well dressed to really get into it.

“Tentatively he said if required, could we make some bits and pieces for the council and the royal visit.

“We said we’d be delighted to do some stuff. We presented things to them and they could decide if it was of a standard they wanted.”

It is understood the quaich was delivered to the Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, by the lord provost during their lunch at the City Chambers.
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